Notes: R. russellii can be easily identified by the small flowers (ca. 5-6
mm diam.), with few stamens, the deep magenta fruits numerous per areole, and
the large and pilose areoles with numerous scales.

Habitat and distribution: Occurs in Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo and Bahia
(Brazil), usually in dryer Atlantic forest (sensu lato). It can also occur as
lithophyte in Bahia (Chapada Diamantina, Brazil). Figure 5.

Rhipsalis russellii Britton & Rose, Cact. 4:242 (1923)

Desc from Hunt 2006.

Body a sprawling lithophyte up to 80cm or pendent epiphyte up to 2m or more; branch segments 3-5 angled (lithophytes) or flattened, up to ca15 x 3-5.8cm, 2-3mm thick away from midrib, margins crenate; areoles with felt and occasional minute bristle spines, indented 3-11mm from edge of segment; flowers (1-) 3-9 together per areole, inconspicuous, up to ca 7x5-9mm, greenish white; stamens few, ca 12-14 or almost lacking; stigma 3-6, ca1mm; fruit in clusters, up to 7mm diam, whitish to pale pink, becoming red or purplish

Desc from B&R 1923

Plant - hanging in great clusters from the horizontal branches of trees;

A plant referable to Subg. Phyllarthrorhipsalis, which was collected in the state of Goias by P. Braun, is growing at the Univ. of Bonn collection and resembles R. russelli in its vegetative characters.